Calgary Titans Volleyball Club: Player Motivation

TO PLAY HERE:1. COMMIT TO WORK HARD• Accept it. Make it a habit. • You develop good habits in practice. • Don’t settle for being average.

2. COMMIT TO BECOMING A SMART PLAYER• Understand the game. • Think quickly on your feet. Make good decisions. • Outsmart the opponent. • Have poise under pressure.

3. PUT THE TEAM BEFORE YOURSELF• Give to other people. Selfish teams self-destruct. • Understand you need each other.

4. HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE• Believe in yourself. Play with confidence. • Don’t let fear of failure hold you back. Avoid dwelling on mistakes.• Talk positive.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL HERE:1. BE COACHABLE AND COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR COACHES AND TEAMMATES• Accept criticism. Don’t take it personally. • Commit to the team’s philosophy. • Follow instructions. Execute the game plan. • Talk to your coaches, not about them. • Communication takes two people. • Learn to separate the person from the student and from the athlete.

2. HAVE GREAT LEADERS, EAGER FOLLOWERS AND ROLE PLAYERS• Lead by example all the time. • Do what is best for the team. • Give to other people. You must give in order to receive. • Respect and respond to your leaders. Everyone will have a role … accept yours.

3. INFLUENCE YOUR OPPONENT• Be the team in control – set the tempo. • Disrupt their offense with your defense. • Control the net. • Make smart hits.

4. BE CONSISTENTLY MOTIVATED• Be a good practice player. • Keep your focus and concentration. • Be mentally ready for each practice and each match.

TO STAY ON THE TEAM:1. BE RESPONSIBLE• Work hard in school.• Be at all workouts and team functions. • Plan ahead and talk to your teachers & coaches if your schedule gets too full. Mature people are responsible people. Be responsible for your game.

2. BE RESPECTFUL• To your teammates and coaching staff. • Moody people are rude and disrespectful. Your actions are a reflection of your team and school. • Treat other people the way you want to be treated.

3. BE HONEST• Can the coaching staff and your teammates trust you? Always tell the truth. • Do you know right from wrong? Do what is right.

4. BE LOYAL• Never talk about your teammates behind their backs. Backstabbing will kill us. • Keep team problems and issues within the team. • Be willing to confront issues.

Enthusiasm is What Coaches Like!The Words You'll Never Hear a Coach SayYou can spend years and years in the gym, and chances are you'll never hear a coach criticize a player for having too much enthusiasm. Coaches love players with enthusiasm! And players with enthusiasm, no matter what their level of talent, usually find a way to make a difference on a team.

Here are some easy ways to express enthusiasm, and to be the kind of player every team wants and needs:

1. Be the first one in the gym. Good things happen to those who arrive early. There's a chance you'll get some individualized instruction. At the very least, you won't be hurrying around, trying to catch up. No matter what happens, you've shown that you care.

2. Hustle when the coach calls everyone in. Gym time is precious and expensive. More importantly, hustling shows a winning tempo. By hustling in, you're sending off positive energy. Those who mope in drag the team down. Which kind of player would you rather be?

3. Look at the coach when he or she speaks. By doing that, you are sending a message that you consider the comments to be important. Everyone likes an appreciative audience; your coach is no different. Eye contact also shows that you have the character to look someone in the eye.

4. Be a champion ball-shagger. From the moment you enter the gym to the time the door closes behind you, do everything on a championship level. If there's a spill, be a champion floor-wiper! If it's time to shag, be a leader in that category. Players who sit back and say, "I've already done my share" are only diminishing themselves. Why judge yourself on what other people do? Remember, winners ask, "How can I help?" Losers say, "It's not my job."

Notice that not a single one of these qualities has anything to do with ability. They are all purely mental. They deal with attitude and desire.

Anyone can show enthusiasm. So go do it today! One thing's for sure -- your coach will never criticize you for it!